Armitage in Twitter trouble after declaring 'rugby is turning soft'

Steffon Armitage could be the next international to fall foul of rugby’s crackdown on Twitter rants.

The Toulon-based flanker defended his brother Delon after the England World Cup player had been banned for the fourth time this year.

He claimed ‘rugby is turning soft’ after Delon received a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Bath’s Tom Biggs, but rebutted claims that he had referred to RFU disciplinary officers as ‘d***heads’.

Delon was also active after his appearance before a disciplinary panel on Tuesday. He said he was ‘gutted’ at his latest suspension and added: ‘Out of six citings this week I’m the only one who got a ban.’

A spokesman for the RFU said they were looking at the Twitter exchange. If action is to be taken against Steffon it would be up to the French Federation, who have jurisdiction over the Toulon player.

On Monday, the RFU imposed a three-week ban on Gloucester centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu after he posted abusive messages on Twitter following the match against Saracens.

He returned from the World Cup carrying a six-month suspended sentence for abusing Welsh referee Nigel Owens via Twitter.